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What kind of tree/wood was this?

A local contractor in my town had been tearing down and old apartment complex for the past several months. Tonight as I was coming home from work as I passed by the site I see that they cut down about 8-10 very large trees to make room for the new complex they plan to build. The piles of wood was tremendous. I decided to pull into the lot to see if I might be able to pick up a piece to put on the lathe. I talked to the man in charge and he said I was welcome to help myself to a couple of pieces. I found this log right up front and he cut me off two logs about 14 inches long. They are about 12 inches across as well. I asked if he knew what kind it was but he was not sure. He thought the trees could be....Hickory...Ash...or Sweet Gum.
Can anyone here tell what this is?
I brought it home and sealed the ends right away. It has some very good looking grain....any ideas?

"There’s a lot of work being done today that doesn’t have any soul in it. The technique may be the utmost perfection, yet it is lifeless. It doesn’t have a soul. I hope my furniture has a soul to it." - Sam Maloof

The Pessimist complains about the wind; The Optimist expects it to change;The Realist adjusts the sails.~ William Arthur Ward

I have turned this wood and may even have some of it in my shop. I'm out of town right now, but will look to see if I still have it when I get home. Right now I'm thinking Sweet Gum. But, it very well could be Locust. Did the branches have long hard thorns? You might stop by the site and ask the guy you talk to about the thorns. Honey locust will have thorn as long as 3" or so that are very hard. Black locust does not have the thorns.

doesnt look like our locust from my area, it would be yellow not brown heart wood. not familiar with sweet gum but my pick is hickory, was the limbs smooth bark? were there and nuts on the ground nearby.

If in Doubt, Build it Stout!
One hand washes the other!
Don't put off today till tomorrow!